Kaashmora

"Kaashmora" (2016) is a Tamil horror drama film written and directed by Gokul. It stars Karthi in a dual role, along with Nayanthara and Sri Divya. The film blends supernatural suspense with fantasy, as a copycat black magic specialist faces real ghosts in a haunted palace.

Kaashmora (Karthi) is a conman who, along with his family members, makes false claims by imitating a black magic expert. A student, Yamini (Sri Divya), follows him to find out his lies. Kaashmora defrauds an immoral minister, Dhanakodi, and keeps his black money with plans to escape abroad. A petition, however, brings him and his family to a haunted bungalow in the Tamil Nadu-Andhra border. They get trapped there by real spirits, led by a powerful spirit called Raj Nayak. Yamini tells them that their contact, Chelapathy Rao, died decades ago. There is a strange girl in Kaashmora's dream, and he is taken to an old book. There, he learns that Raj Nayak was a ruthless warlord who killed a king and prince to wed Princess Rathna (Nayanthara). Rathna beheads him when he stands in her path and curses his men and him to be stuck as spirits in the palace.

Raj Nayak has to sacrifice five members of one family bearing a rare birth star for him to get immortal Kaashmora's family fits the bill. On the Navakaali Pournami night, which is a sacred night, Raj Nayak abducts them. Rathna's spirit, however, gets reincarnated in the current times and returns to avenge him. Kaashmora, with the help of a magical sword and determination, kills the ghost army and burns Raj Nayak's ashes, freeing the trapped souls. He returns to Dhanakodi, stating that the ghost took away all the money and left behind only the papers.

"Kaashmora" weaves horror, fantasy, and comedy together with visual panache. Karthi excels in both of his roles, particularly as ferocious Raj Nayak. The rich sets, spooky atmosphere, and surprise shocks are a roller-coaster ride of fun, supernatural thrills. Though overly long, it serves up an enjoyable blend of scares, humor, and fantasy action.